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Michael Cheika has revealed the line-up of 23 men who’ll be tasked with seeing Australia claim a 2-1 series victory over Ireland this Saturday at the Sydney Football Stadium.
After naming an unchanged line-up for the second Test in Melbourne, Cheika has elected to make some changes for the decider, but it’s hardly a new-look Wallabies side heading into the do-or-die clash on Saturday.
Lukhan Tui gets his opportunity to start at blindside flanker after being named on the interchange in the first few Tests, with his promotion to the starting line-up pushing David Pocock into a non-preferred No. 8 role.
Caleb Timu, who made his Wallabies debut in the first Test, finds himself without a spot in the side, while much-maligned lock Ned Hanigan comes back into the team via the bench.
Nick Phipps has been named in the starting line-up as the replacement for the injured Will Genia, while Brumbies scrumhalf Joe Powell takes Phipps’ spot on the pine.
It’s quite the return to form for Phipps, who made headlines barely two months ago after being fined $4000 for urinating on a bar during a wild buck’s night.
The incident cost him the captaincy of the Waratahs and seemingly put him on the outer with national selectors. However, a broken arm suffered by Genia means the 29-year-old has a chance to help Australia claim victory in his first Test on home soil in nearly two years.
The Wallabies started the series strongly with an 18-14 win over Ireland in Brisbane, before Ireland leveled the series with a 26-21 triumph in Melbourne.
Roar expert Nick Bishop blamed poor discipline and decision making in the second Test loss, with the vastly improved Irish entering the deciding match as slight favourites.
The third and final match of the series kicks off at 8pm this Saturday at Allianz Stadium.
1. Scott Sio
2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa
3. Sekope Kepu
4. Izack Rodda
5. Adam Coleman
6. Lukhan Tui
7. Michael Hooper (c)
8. David Pocock
9. Nick Phipps
10. Bernard Foley
11. Marika Koroibete
12. Kurtley Beale
13. Samu Kerevi
14. Dale Haylett-Petty
15. Israel Folau
Reserves
16. Tolu Latu
17. Tom Robertson
18. Taniela Tupou
19. Rob Simmons
20. Ned Hanigan
21. Pete Samu
22. Joe Powell
23. Reece Hodge